The first country music awards of the year will be presented this weekend at the Alberta Country Music Awards in Red Deer (first held in 2011). A gala dinner on Saturday will see the Industry Person, Talent Buyer, Radio Station and Country Venue awards presented. The rest will be given out on Sunday. Here’s a look at this year’s nominees and some past winners and records in each category:

-Entertainer of the Year: Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt, Lindsay Ell, Aaron Goodvin, Brett Kissel [this award was first presented last year with The Road Hammers winning];

-Fans Choice: Hailey Benedict, Dan Davidson, Megan Dawson, Drew Gregory, The Prairie States and Renegade Station [Tenille holds the record with two consecutive wins in 2012 and 2013];

-Male Artist: Dan Davidson, Drew Gregory, Karac Hendriks, Ryan Langlois, Trevor Panczak and Brad Saunders [Bobby Wills holds the record with three wins];

-Female Artist: Alee, Krissy Feniak, Lauren Mayell, Andrea Nixon and Michela Sheedy [Alee, last year’s winner, holds the record with three wins];

-Group/Duo: The Dungarees, Nice Horse, The Orchard, The Prairie States and Renegade Station [Domino, now known as Renegade Station, is tied at two with PEAR for the most wins];

-Rising Star: Karac Hendriks, Lauren Mayell, Nice Horse, Trevor Panczak and The Prairie States;

-Horizon Youth: Hailey Benedict, Martina Dawn, Krissy Feniak, Hannah Gazso and Jonah Langlois;

-Single: “Don’t Hold Back” by The Dungarees, “Know Good” by Drew Gregory, “This Road is Mine” by Karac Hendriks, “Who’s Gonna Love Me Tonight” by Renegade Station and “Play it By Beer” by Brad Saunders [Brett Kissel holds the record with three consecutive wins, 2013-2015];

-Song: “Don’t Hold Back,” written by James Murdoch and Darren Gusnowsky, performed by The Dungarees; “Know Good,” written by Drew Gregory, Trinity Bradshaw and Brad Stella, performed by Drew Gregory; “Light > Dark,” written by Ryan Langlois and Duane Steele, performed by: Ryan Langlois; “Mansplainin’,” written by Brandi Sidoryk, Tareya Green, Katie Biever and Jeff Dalziel, performed by Nice Horse; and “Safe Harbour,” written by Kent Nixon, Luanne Carl and Doug Folkins, performed by Renegade Station [BTW, Dan Davidson is the only artist to win both Single and Song of the Year the same year…and he’s done it twice!];

-Album: “Songs For Georgia” by Dan Davidson, “Good Place to Start” by Drew Gregory, “This Road is Mine” by Karac Hendriks, “Lost in the Right Direction” by The Prairie States and “Along for the Ride” by Renegade Station [Brett Kissel holds the record with two wins];

-Video: “Let’s Go There” by Dan Davidson, “Don’t Hold Back” by The Dungarees, “Know Good” by Drew Gregory, “Mansplainin’,” by Nice Horse, and “Who’s Gonna Love Me Tonight” by Renegade Station [first presented in 2015, there have been no repeat winners];

-Musician of the Year: Weston Blatz, Lisa Dodd, Johnny Gasparic, Mitch Jay and Josh Ruzycki [first presented in 2016, there have been no repeat winners];

-Industry Person: Bill Borgwardt (Bill Borgwardt Performance Photography, Johnny Gasparic (MCC Recording Studio), Carla Hackman (Sakamoto Entertainment), Carly Klassen (Alberta Music), Angie Morris (Sirroma Entertainment), Sarah Scott (Golden West Radio) [Jody Seeley holds the record with two wins];

-Radio Station: Wild 95.3 Calgary; 103.9 CISN FM, Edmonton; 93.1 The One, Leduc; 96.5 CKFM, Olds; and Real Country 95.5, Red Deer [first present last year, Red Deer is the only winner];

-Country Venue: Boot Scootin Boogie Dancehall and Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall [first presented last year, Ranchman’s is the only winner];

-Talent Buyer of the Year: Big Valley Jamboree, Calgary Stampede, Country Thunder, Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall and Sakamoto Agency [Calgary Stampede holds the record with four consecutive wins].

For more information, go to the Association of Country Music in Alberta website at http://www.abcountrymusic.ca

Good luck to all the nominees!